"Rigid members of structure supported at each and, subject to pending stresses from a direction perpendicular to its length" - this is an engineering definition of the beam. As we all (or most of us) know they are part of building structure. However in this post I am going to stress their decorative aspect.

It is quite often that during design process we have to make a decision if the structural beams (supporting floors above) are going to stay exposed or enclosed.

In renovation projects I do like to look for existing elements of the building and estimate their visual/aesthetic value. Then weight it against clients aesthetic preferences and atmosphere of the space we are aiming to achieve.